Asymmetric ethernet network data transfer system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an asymmetric Ethernet network data transfer system and method. The present invention utilizes a network interface card being capable of an automatic transfer mode switch to form an asymmetric network data transfer system, and through which to modify the symmetry feature of the Ethernet and increase the transfer bandwidth.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is related to a network data transfer system, and more particularly, to an asymmetric Ethernet network data transfer system.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]With the quick improvements in technology, the network has become an indispensable communication medium in modern society. Of all the networks, the local area network is the most popular one due to the well-developed and inexpensive devices of it. The Ethernet is a common local-area-network technique. It consists of an Ethernet card and other network connection devices. The conventional Ethernet has a symmetry feature in data transfer, which means that the bandwidths used in the downloading and uploading data transfer works are equal. However, usually the practical downloading and the practical uploading data transfer rates are different. Thus, the symmetry feature often causes congestion problems to data transfer in the transfer dire...

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Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention is directed towards the above-mentioned need. The present invention provides an asymmetric network data transfer system to solve the problem of impropriate bandwidth allocation caused by the symmetry feature of the Ethernet without substantially changing current network data transfer mechanism and equipment, and though which to correspond to both industrial and economic needs.

[0007]The present invention discloses an asymmetric Ethernet network data transfer system and method. The present invention utilizes a network interface card being capable of an automatic transfer mode switch to form an asymmetric data transfer system, and through which to modify the symmetry feature of the Ethernet and increase the transfer bandwidth. To avoid misunderstanding, in this text the word “bandwidth” will be separated by meaning by using “physical bandwidth” to refer to the max bearable data flow rate (the unit is bps: bit per second) of the transfer medium (which will be the network cable herein); and “transfer bandwidth” to refer to the bandwidth actually used during the data transfer process. The word “asymmetric” herein is in connection with the transfer bandwidth. The present invention only modifies some designs within the network interface card, all other current hardware and software used for network data transfer including the network cables need not change. For example, while the specification IEEE 802.3 is used in the network, the asymmetric character of the invention could be archived by modifying the program code Link_Control_[HCD]. Herein, the original concepts at least are “Speed: 10 / 100 / 1000; Duplex: Half / Full; FControl: Tx / Rx”, and the invention could be archived by adding the new configuration to be new concepts of the program code. Further, one thing should be noticed is that the network cable used must support two-way data transfer, i.e. the network cable must not have the direction feature. For example, the common copper twisted pair like Cat 5 is capable of two-way data transfer, while the optical fiber isn't. Accordingly, the present invention can be easily integrated into current network data transfer framework and can increase network data transfer efficiency with low extra construction cost, which corresponds to the industrial needs.

[0009]Through the function mentioned above, an asymmetric network data transfer system being capable of real-time adjustments in the ways the two network cables connected to the provided network interface card are used is formed. The asymmetric network data transfer system enables the present invention to improve data transfer efficiency of the Ethernet by real-time switches between symmetric and asymmetric data transfer mechanisms.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, the symmetry feature often causes congestion problems to data transfer in the transfer direction with insufficient bandwidth and leaves bandwidth unused in the transfer direction with transfer bandwidth more than needed.

Thus, while transferring data, the symmetry feature of the Ethernet often causes congestion problems to the data transfer in the transfer direction with insufficient bandwidth and leaves bandwidth unused in the transfer direction with transfer bandwidth more than needed.

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